It may not be enough to save Unai Emery from the sack, but at least the former Sevilla gaffer can say that he led the Paris Saint-Germain Footbal Club to the Ligue 1 title. A comprehensive 7-1 hammering of Leonardo Jardim’s AS Monaco secured PSG’s seventh Ligue 1 title before a bumper crowd at the world famed Parc des Princes.
C'est terminé ! Paris remporte ce #PSGASM et devient pour la 7⃣e fois Champion de France ! 🏆 #ICICESTPARIS #CHAMPIONS pic.twitter.com/pRIrWMUq05
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) April 15, 2018
“I’m very happy tonight,” said Emery. “The championship is the competition that demands the most consistency throughout the season. After the loss to Real Madrid, the team bounced back well. We showed our strength. We want to keep growing and continue writing our history, here in France and in Europe. The players were very focused tonight. They gave it everything for 90 minutes, to keep scoring goals, keep defending… Now we turn attentions to Wednesday’s semi-final of the Coupe de France away to Caen.
Paris SG – Monaco : Tribune morte #PSGASM pic.twitter.com/BrjzjOV1u7
— Collectif Ultras Paris (@Co_Ultras_Paris) April 14, 2018
The 36th trophy in PSG’s short yet storied history, the Parisians exhibited a complete footballing clinic as a benediction to its supporters, especially the Colectif Paris Ultras, whose grievances with the Ligue de Football Professionel were heard loudly. Despite the protests from the CUP, it was business as usual for Paris, whose attention will now focus to the Coupe de France midweek against SM Caen.
103 – Paris have scored 103 goals after 33 games in Ligue 1, they have five games left to score 16 goals and beat RC Paris’ record in 1959/60 (118). Overkill. pic.twitter.com/LeAtlwjX21
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) April 15, 2018
“This title has a special feeling because in 2013 I won the league but I was the third ‘keeper,” said Alphonse Areola, who made a number of key stops to secured a dominant display at home. “Winning it as the first choice goalkeeper is even better. It’s symbolic to win it at home against Monaco, after the Trophée des Champions and the Coupe de la Ligue. We are very happy, but it’s not finished yet and we have more goals to reach this season.”
The Argentines were on showcase, with Giovani Lo Celso (14′, 27′) and Angel Di Maria (20′ 58′) on song all game long. Edinson Cavani (17′) recorded his league-leading 25th goal of the season and Julian Draxler (86′) capped off a massive goal festival. Radamel Falcao (76′) was unlucky to score an own goal while Rony Lopes (38′) was the lone bright spot for the outgoing holders.
33 – Paris are the second earliest team to be crowned under the three points era in Ligue 1 (after 33 games) alongside Lyon in 2006/07 and behind… Paris in 2015/16 (30 games). Throne. pic.twitter.com/YFa6h2cJoM
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) April 15, 2018
“It’s great to win the title against one of the best teams in the land,” said defender Marquinhos. “Winning 7-1 at home is great for the club and the supporters. When you look at the quality of the players we have in the squad, what we’ve achieved this season – we had our ups and downs, but tonight we are happy.”
L'AS Monaco a pris la décision de rembourser les supporters Rouge et Blanc présents dans la tribune visiteurs ce soir. Les modalités seront communiquées en début de semaine. #PSGASM #PartoutToujours pic.twitter.com/V8vGNyaA3V
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) April 15, 2018
Paris dominated shots (12 to 11), shots on target (seven to two), corners (four to two) and possession (60 percent to 40 percent). A horror first half injury to Djibril Sidibe added insult to injury for AS Monaco, whose brains trust elected to emulate the Seattle Sounders in 2010 and issue refunds to all traveling supporters to Le Parc.
100 – Paris are the 1st team to reach 1⃣0⃣0⃣ goals over the Top 5 European leagues this season – Man City are 2nd with 93 goals. Orgy. pic.twitter.com/hwR38iJDIY
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) April 15, 2018
“It’s important to win the league tonight, in front of our supporters and our families,” defender and captain Thiago Silva added. “It’s magnificent tonight. In the first half, we played high intensity like the coach asked. That’s what we worked on all week. Then we controlled the game. Our performance was almost perfect. We are happy because we have written another page into the history of our club and we are going to enjoy this moment.”
“We are very happy with this performance,” owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi said. “To win the title against Monaco, the defending champions, with such an emphatic scoreline, I am obviously very happy and very proud of our players. We still have one more trophy to try and win. We play the Coupe de France semi-final this week against Caen. To finish the season in the best possible way, we hope to win the Coupe de France.”
113 – @ECavaniOfficial has now equaled @Ibra_official as PSG's top goalscorer in Ligue 1 (113 goals). Matador. pic.twitter.com/hQY7fwho7d
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) April 15, 2018
Paris Saint-Germain’s next Ligue 1 match is on April 22 away to FC Girondins de Bordeaux at the Matmut Atlantique. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. PT/3 p.m. ET. With Kylian Mbappe rested on Sunday, the Prince of Paris is expected to put on a strong display fresh from recovering from a stomach ailment in the Coupe de France semis in the heart of Normandy and the Stade Michel d’Ornano in Caen, where PSG last year faced amateur side US Avranches and prevailed 4-0.
***Editor’s Note: PSG defeated Caen 3-1 in the Coupe de France, advancing to their fourth straight French Cup Final.
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